Anthony Rendon was deserving of an invitation to Tuesday’s All-Star Game, but the Nationals’ third baseman was passed over for a spot and instead got a four-day break. The time off evidently didn’t bother Rendon, who continued his torrid start to the second half Sunday with two more hits, including a home run, and two RBI in a 14-4 rout of the Reds.

In three games since the all-star break, Rendon is hitting 7 for 11 with three home runs and nine RBI, numbers that only strengthen his sneaky-good MVP case. The Nationals are convinced Rendon is the best third baseman in baseball, and they don’t care who knows it. On Sunday, that led to a fun back-and-forth on Twitter with the Rockies, who have their own star third baseman.

Scott AllenScott Allen has written about the Capitals, Nationals, Redskins, Wizards and more for The Washington Post's D.C. Sports Bog since 2014. Before joining The Post, he wrote about high school sports for USA Today, developed courses for a Web-based training company, and worked as a reporter and page designer for the Casper (Wyo.) Star-Tribune. Follow